Boiler-cleaning apparatus



June 20, 1933. 5 L, HURD 1,914,744

BOILER CLEANING APPARATUS Filed April 25, 1932 Patented June 203, 1933ITED ES PATENT QFFICE SYLVESTER L. HURD, OF NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA,ASSIGNOR OF ONE-THIRD T0 JOHN G. MILLER, SR., AND ONE-THIRD '10 JOHN G.MILLER, JR., BOTH OF NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA BOILER-CLEANING APPARATUSApplication filed April 23,

The object of this invention is to provide a simple apparatus by the useof which scum and sediment may be easily removed from steam boilers ofthe fire-tube type. The 1nvention provides an apparatus which willutilize the principle of an ejector to withdraw from the water space ofthe boiler all of the scale, scum and other foreign matter. Theinvention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing and will behereinafter fully described and defined.

In the drawing, Figure 1 is a view, partly .in elevation and partly invertical section, of-

an apparatus embodying the invention,

Fig. 2 is an enlarged detail view, partly in elevation and partly insection, of one of the suction nozzles,

Fig. 3 is an enlarged plan view of the nozzle,

Fig. 4 is a detail perspective view of the nozzle.

The boiler, indicated in a more or less conventional manner at 1, may beof any well known or approved construction, the numeral 2 designatingthe fire tubes of the boiler and the normal water line or level beingindicated at 3.

In carrying out the present invention, there is provided within theboiler, at such point as is deemed most desirable, a stand pipe 4. whichis coupled at its lower end'to a sediment line or pipe 5, the couplingin the present drawing being a T-fitting 6 of known form. The upper endof the stand pipe is coupled to a scum or skimmer line 7 by a similarT-fitting 8, and the upper end of the T-fitting 8 is closed by a plug-9, as shown. The lower fitting 6 is secured in place by a couplingsleeve 10 which passes through the bottom of the boiler and is thencoupled to a blow-ofl pipe 11 which is equipped with a cut-off valve 12of any approved form. A steam pipe 13 is fitted through the stand pipe4, concentrically therewith, and has its lower end disposed below thecoupling sleeve 10 and immediately adjacent the blow-off pipe 11, theupper end of the steam pipe being disposed close to the top of theboiler and above the Water level, as will be understood. The sedimentpipe 5 is secured at one end in 1932. Serial No. 607,169.

the fitting 6 and extends substantially the full length of the boiler.At intervals in the length of the pipe 5, T-fittings 14 are securedthereto and on the underside of these fittings are secured nipples ornozzles 15 through which the sediment is drawn from the boiler into thesediment pipe to be passed out through the blow-off pipe, as will bepresently particularly set forth. The ski 7 is also provided withT-fittings 16 at intervals in its length and in the T-fittings 16 aresecured skimmer nipples or nozzles 17 which are similar in constructionto the nipples or nozzles 15, the upper nozzles 17 being appreciablylonger than the lower nozzles 15 and preferably somewhat less indiameter. As shown most clearly in Figs. 2, 3 and 4, each nipple ornozzle consists of a cylindrical tube threaded at one end whereby it maybe secured in the respective fitting 14 or 16, as the case may be, andprovided with longitudinal slots 18 extending from points near thethreaded end to and through-the opposite end. The slots 18 may beprovided in any desired number but I show four slots and have found thatnumber sufficient for efficient operation. The material of the tubummerpipe lar nozzle or nipple is bent inwardly at one side of each slot, asshown at comparatively Wide passage will be produced for the flow ofscale or scum into the nipple and a whirling or eddying action will beset up within the nipple so that the foreign matter contained in theentering liquid will be prevented from adhering to the inner walls ofthe nipple and will be carried through the same into and through therespective pipes.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with theaccompanying drawing, it will be seen that I have provided anexceedingly simple device which may be easily installed in any boiler ata low cost and which will, in use, prove highly efl'icient. The cut-ofivalve 12 is normally closed and, consequently, there is no flow throughthe pipes 5 and 7 nor through the steam-ejecting pipe 13. When cleaningof the boiler is deemed desirable, the valve 12 is opened whereupon thesteam in the steam space of 19, whereby a the boiler will at once enterand flow through the pipe 13, issuing from the discharge end thereofwith considerable Velocity so that a partial vacuum will be created inthe stand pipe 4 and the pipes 5 and 7 connected therewith. As a resultof the formation of the vacuum, the sediment at the bottom of the boilerand the scum floating in or on the upper portion of the water will bedrawn through the respective nipples 15 and 17 and through therespective pipes and discharged through the blow-off pipe 11, as will beunderstood. The action is certain and requires very little effort on thepart of the attendant or operator and I have found that scale whichtends to form upon or collect on the fire tubes will be drawn therefromand carried out through the blow-off pipe. The installation of mycleaning apparatus does not alter the operation of the boiler in any waynor interfere with the usual uses thereof.

Having thus described the invention, I claim Apparatus for the purposeset forth comprising a stand pipe, a blow-elf pipe connected with thelower end of the stand pipe, a steam ejector pipe mounted axially in thestand pipe with its upper end projecting above the stand pipe and itslower end near the lower end of the stand pipe, sediment and scumcollecting pipes connected respectively with the upper and lower ends ofthe stand pipes, and nipples mounted upon said collecting pipes atintervals in the length of the same, the nipples on thesediment-collecting pipe projecting downwardly and the nipples on thescum-collecting pipe projecting upwardly.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

SYLVESTER L. HURD.

